AUSTIN, Texas -- It's a big weekend for the city of Austin, as it's all about PRIDE.

Austin PRIDE weekend is a time many people use to raise awareness of LGBTQ issues and also celebrate diversity.

The PRIDE Festival and Parade took place on Saturday. It is the second-largest PRIDE event in Texas.

"[The planning takes place] the entire year. So this is an entire year of a board full of volunteers. No one who plans Austin PRIDE is a paid staff member, or gets paid. They are all volunteers," said Alejandro Victoria, Vice President of Austin PRIDE.

MORE | Where to celebrate Pride in Austin this weekend

The festival featured a long lineup of entertainers, vendors, and organizations ranging from businesses to nonprofits to showcase the range of LGBT-friendly options in the city.

After a brief rain delay, the parade stepped off shortly after 8 p.m. with hundreds of thousands of people in attendance. Parade goers said that they were excited to celebrate the true spirit of PRIDE.

“Paying homage, and then paving the road for kids. I feel like seeing people like me, who aren’t always out in the spotlight is imperative,” said PRIDE participant Curtis Faulkner.

The parade headed down Congress Avenue before finishing at Republic Square.